rites | protagonists | calendar of events | origins and meanings | curiosities
THE PROTAGONISTS 
- The Rites are organized by Germani of the SantoMonte Confraternity. They wear white, ankle length starched tunics, which are adorned with flounces and black bows. During the procession, they cover their faces with very large hoods.
- Only the women of the Santissimo Association are allowed to attend the Rites.
They are dressed in black, and their faces are
covered by black veils. - Is baballottis are the numerous children and
adults who wear hooded white tunics.
On Friday every child carries a small wooden cross. - Two children, always male, who symbolize
San Giovanni and Mary Magdalene,
are dressed in rich eastern style. Their clothes are adorned with precious jewels. - Is Varonis, aristocratic people who represent Giuseppe d’Arimatea and Nicodemus. Held tightly in their hands are a hammer and pincers. They are followed by two men carrying a ladder on their shoulders.
- Crowds of worshippers are lost in prayer.
- However, the main protagonist is the beautiful
dead Jesus, who is laid out on a litter
(sa lettèra in the Sardinian language),
covered by a snow-white veil.